Dictionary
1make–believe
noun make–be·lieve \ˈmāk-bə-ˌlēv\
: things that are imagined or pretended to be true or real
Full Definition of MAKE-BELIEVE
: a pretending that what is not real is real <a fiction writer's childish willingness to immerse himself in make–believe — John Updike>
See make–believe defined for English-language learners
See make-believe defined for kids
Variants of MAKE-BELIEVE
make–be·lieve also make–be·lief \-ˌlēf\
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of MAKE-BELIEVE
1811
2make–believe
adjective
: not real
Full Definition of MAKE-BELIEVE
See make–believe defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MAKE-BELIEVE
1824
Related to MAKE-BELIEVE
- Synonyms
- chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic (also fantastical), fictional, fictitious, ideal, imaginal, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), notional, phantasmal, phantasmic, phantom, pretend, unreal, visonary
MAKE-BELIEVE Defined for Kids
1make–believe
noun make–be·lieve \ˈmāk-bə-ˌlēv\
Definition of MAKE-BELIEVE for Kids
: something that is imagined to be real or true
2make–believe
adjective
Definition of MAKE-BELIEVE for Kids
: not real : imaginary <She plays with make-believe friends.>
Learn More About MAKE-BELIEVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: make–doPrevious Word in the Dictionary: makebateAll Words Near: make-believe
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up make-believe? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).